History's Best Selling Music of 1968

Revisiting 1968 presents a grand parade of music history, marked by Space Age wonder and counter-culture flair and enduring fan favorites. Unrivaled hits including Steppenwolf, We’re Only In It For the Money, and Bookends took top honors in living rooms and storefronts alike. Master craftsmen from industry leaders like John Kay and The Mothers Of Invention led the vanguard, engineering high-caliber releases that spurred a pop-culture revolution across the nation. Dive into the full historical rankings below to see which standout creations won the day.

1. Steppenwolf

   Released in 1968 by John Kay, Michael Monarch, Goldy McJohn, Rushton Moreve, Jerry Edmonton, ABC Dunhill Records

   On January 29, 1968, the rock landscape was jolted by the release of the self-titled debut album from Steppenwolf. At a time when the psychedelic sounds of San Francisco were dominating the airwaves, this album brought a harder, grittier, and blues-infused edge to rock and roll. Unleashed by ABC Dunhill Records, "Steppenwolf" was more than just a collection of songs; it was a mission statement. It introduced the world to the powerful vocals of John Kay and a raw, driving sound that laid crucial groundwork for what would soon be called hard rock and heavy metal. The album's release on this day marked the arrival of a band that would define the sound of rebellion and freedom for a generation, most notably with a track that would become a timeless cultural anthem.

2. We’re Only In It For the Money

   Released in 1968 by The Mothers Of Invention, Verve Records

   On March 4, 1968, Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention released their third studio album, "We're Only in It for the Money." The album arrived at a pivotal moment in the 1960s counterculture, serving as a scathing and hilarious satire of the very movement it was a part of. Released less than a year after The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," Zappa's work was a direct, audacious parody of the "Summer of Love" ethos, hippie culture, and the commercialization of psychedelia. Its release on this date cemented Zappa's reputation as one of rock music's most brilliant and uncompromising social critics, offering a cynical yet insightful counterpoint to the era's prevailing optimism.

3. Bookends

   Released in 1968 by Simon & Garfunkel, Columbia Records

   On April 3, 1968, as the cultural landscape of America was undergoing seismic shifts, Simon & Garfunkel released their fourth studio album, "Bookends." The album arrived at a pivotal moment, reflecting the anxieties and contemplations of a generation grappling with war, civil rights, and the passage of time. It was a concept album of sorts, with the first side tracing the journey of life from childhood to old age, perfectly capturing the introspective mood of the era. The album's release was also buoyed by the inclusion of "Mrs. Robinson," a song that had become a national sensation through its prominent feature in the landmark film "The Graduate."

4. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida

   Released in 1968 by Iron Butterfly, Atco Records

   On June 14, 1968, the sound of rock music was stretched to its epic, psychedelic limits with the release of Iron Butterfly's second studio album, "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida". The album arrived during a pivotal year of cultural and political upheaval, and its sound captured the heavy, mind-expanding zeitgeist of the late 1960s. While the first side contained relatively concise psychedelic pop songs, it was the second side, consumed entirely by the 17-minute title track, that cemented the album's place in history. This audacious piece of music became an anthem for the burgeoning hard rock and heavy metal scenes, making the album a landmark release that bridged the gap between psychedelic rock and heavier genres to come.

5. A Saucerful of Secrets

   Released in 1968 by Pink Floyd, Columbia Graphophone Company

   On June 29, 1968, Pink Floyd released their second studio album, "A Saucerful of Secrets," in the United Kingdom. This date marks a pivotal and poignant moment in the band's history. The album serves as a crucial transitional document, capturing the group as they navigated the departure of their original visionary leader, Syd Barrett, whose deteriorating mental state made his continued participation untenable. Simultaneously, it chronicles the integration of his replacement, David Gilmour. The result is a sonic bridge between the whimsical, Syd-led psychedelia of their debut and the grand, conceptual progressive rock that would later define their legendary status, making this release a fascinating and essential chapter in the Pink Floyd saga.

6. Wheels of Fire

   Released in 1968 by Cream, Polydor Records, Atco Records

   On August 9, 1968, the rock world experienced a seismic shift with the release of Cream's third album, "Wheels of Fire." This monumental project arrived as the supergroup trio of Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker stood at the pinnacle of their international fame and creative prowess. The album was far more than a simple collection of new tracks; it was a groundbreaking artistic statement packaged as a double album. One disc, "In the Studio," offered new, meticulously crafted songs, while the other, "Live at the Fillmore," captured the band's incendiary and improvisational concert energy. This novel format perfectly encapsulated the dual identity of Cream, showcasing them as both psychedelic studio innovators and virtuosic live performers, setting a new standard for rock albums.

7. The Beatles

   Released in 1968 by The Beatles, Apple Records

   Released on November 22, 1968, the self-titled double album by The Beatles, universally known as 'The White Album,' arrived as a stark, sprawling counterpoint to the psychedelic grandeur of the previous year's 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.' The band had recently returned from a transcendental meditation retreat in Rishikesh, India, where many of the album's songs were written. Expectations were impossibly high, but instead of a unified concept, the world received a fragmented, eclectic, and deeply personal collection of 30 songs that showcased the four members pulling in different creative directions, a fascinating public document of a band at its peak yet beginning to splinter.

8. Beggars Banquet

   Released in 1968 by The Rolling Stones, Decca Records, London Records

   On December 6, 1968, The Rolling Stones released "Beggars Banquet," an album that dramatically shifted their musical direction and cemented their reputation as "The Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World." Arriving amidst a year of global political and social upheaval, the album served as a gritty, acoustic-driven soundtrack to the times. It marked a deliberate departure from the psychedelic experimentation of their previous album, "Their Satanic Majesties Request," and a powerful return to the blues, country, and rock 'n' roll roots that had initially inspired them. The release was a landmark event, not just for the band, but for rock music as a whole, showcasing a new level of lyrical sophistication and raw, stripped-down musicality that would define their most celebrated era.

9. Blood, Sweat & Tears

   Released in 1968 by Blood, Sweat & Tears, Columbia Records

   On December 11, 1968, the landscape of rock music was significantly altered with the release of Blood, Sweat & Tears' self-titled second album. This release was not just another record; it marked a pivotal moment for the burgeoning jazz-rock fusion movement. The album arrived after a major lineup change, most notably the departure of founder Al Kooper and the introduction of powerhouse vocalist David Clayton-Thomas. This new configuration of the band would go on to define its signature sound, blending complex jazz horn arrangements and improvisation with the accessibility and drive of rock and pop music, setting a new standard for musical sophistication on the pop charts.